John Major wrote a five-page personal letter to his predecessor, Margaret Thatcher, to tell her of his government’s decision to abolish her flagship poll tax, which he described as unfair, uncollectable and indefensible.

Margaret Thatcher and her chancellor Sir Geoffrey Howe were behind a politically toxic plan in 1982 to dismantle the welfare state, newly released Downing Street documents show. She later attempted to distance herself from the plans after what was described as a "riot" in her cabinet.

John Major wrote a five-page personal letter to his predecessor, Margaret Thatcher, to tell her of his government’s decision to abolish her flagship poll tax, which he described as unfair, uncollectable and indefensible.